HMCS HURON 281

 

Iroquois Class Destroyer

 


 

 

READY THE BRAVE

HMCS HURON 281

 

Battle honours and awards:  Arctic 1943-45,   English Channel  1944,   Normandy  1944,   Korea  1951-53

 

 

Laid down: 01 Jun 1969

Launched: 09 Apr 1971

Commissioned: 14 Dec 1972

TRUMP refit: 15 Jul 1993

TRUMP refit completed: 25 Nov 1994

Paid off: 31 Mar 2005

Fate: Sunk as a target ship on 14 May 2007

 

Built by Marine Industries Ltd., Sorel, HURON was commissioned on 14 Dec 1972. The Commissioning date was set for 16 Dec 1972. However, by mid December the weather deteriorated quickly and the Seaway was about to be closed. The CO and Navo made an aerial inspection of the river condition from a Coast Guard helicopter. The river ice was setting in. It was decided to advance the commissioning date to the Dec. 14 and sail immediately after. The early departure was justified. The river was icing up but, even worse, overnight snow settled on the river ice and created a total white-out. With navigation marks lifted, it was impossible early in the day to distinguish water from land. The competence and professionalism of the St. Lawrence River pilots (3 of them) was never more appreciated. It was also helpful to follow in the wake of Coast Guard ships. (submitted by Heinz Gohlish, Lt, RCN)

 

Commissioning divisions were short and cold, -20 with a strong north wind. When we came down the river we needed ice breaker assistance to get by Quebec City. Also the supply sys failed the ship in that we were not issued modern weather jackets, believe it or not they were from WW2. When we entered Halifax they played Snow bird over the upper deck speakers.

 

1973 was full of ships trials machinery, sound, weapons etc. However each ship was given a first in class trial to be done. HURON was chosen to do helicopter trials because Cdr Heitzman was the only one of the original CO's with DDH experience; he had been CO of MARGAREE.

 

1974 was a whole new ball game, we sailed Jan 1974 for down south for exercises with the USN, returning to slackers mid-Mar 1974. Early Apr 1974 we sailed for the Mediterranean with IROQUOIS and PRESERVER. This is when the Lisbon thing happened (The Portuguese Revolution). After Lisbon we exercised with the USN Med Fleet off the southern tip of Italy. Ports were Naples and Barcelona, returning to Halifax mid-Jun 1974. In mid-Jul 1974 HURON sailed for NATO - the first 280 on that deployment until mid-Dec 1974. In early 1975, we sailed to carry out missile firings off Roosevelt Roads, PR (aka Roosey Roads). This involved tracking trials using the CF9. Because of there limited fuel range they would have had to fly over Cuba. We could not get the over flight clearance we had to work out of Key West for three weeks. For the rest of the year did Ex SAFE PASS and a refit. We sailed in early Jan 1976 for WUPS and exercises out of Roosey Roads. Did another Ex SAFE PASS from Mayport, Florida up the coast ending just off Halifax. HURON sailed for second NATO early Jul 1976. While in Kiel, HURON'S crew conducted a 3-week self-maintenance routine. On sailing from Kiel, the NATO SQN was transiting the Kattegat at night at high speeds. The NATO SQN had been dispatched to intercept the Russian air craft carrier Kiev that had broken out of the Black Sea and the Med with her escorts and was heading north. At that time she was one of Russia's latest and newest.  During the transit, we (they believe) ran over a shoal, tore off the under water telephone and took 2 or 3 large chunks off the props. I had just finished Petty Officer of the Watch for the first watch and had just got my head down when we hit what ever it was. The noise below deck was terrifyingly loud. Immediately every one was dressed and running to emergency stations, but no pipe was ever made so we all kind of milled around expecting some sort of answer to what had just happened, heard nothing so everyone resumed the horizontal. Sometime before we entered Oslo for a port visit, the sonar world reported something wrong with the underwater telephone. Divers were sent down in harbour, Joe Arsenault was one of them, he was a WU, and when they surfaced he said "what telephone?" That's when they carried out a full bottom search and found chunks missing from the props. They Navigation Officer was the OOW when it happened. A board of inquire was held on run to slackers and he wore it all. As often happens during episodes like this rumours abound. The best one was we hit a small East German sub (there were many operating in these areas). As the story goes we hit the subs sail with the section of the hull around the underwater telephone knocking it over and when it was back up right we hit it again with the screws. The supposed shoal we hit, if you looked at the chart, was really hard to see and was extremely small. HURON had to leave the SQN early and return Halifax for repairs. Admiral Boyle was pissed of that we had sustained damage and couldn't finish NATO; he tied HURON up along Halifax for approx 6 weeks before allowing us to be repaired. Early 77 I was drafted ashore to CSD as 5"54 instructor. (submitted by James Ron Anderson, CPO, RCN)

 

HURON represented Canada at the Silver Jubilee Naval Review at Spithead on 28 Jun 1977, and in 1981 carried Governor-General Edward Schreyer on a tour of five Scandinavian ports.

 


 

On 12 Mar 1980, HMCS MARGAREE (with no helo embarked as she was preparing to go into refit) was acting as work-ups consort for HMCS HURON when MARGAREE received a distress call from the M.V. Maurice Desgagnes. MARGAREE relayed the distress to HURON and the two ships proceed to their aid. The helo from HMCS HURON rescued the crew of the stricken vessel. The photos here were taken by Rick Masters, Radar Tech on board HMCS MARGAREE

 

Master Corporal Roddrick Warren Hipson of HMCS HURON was awarded the Star of Courage on 08 Jun 1981 for his actions during the M.V. Maurice Desgagnes rescue:  On 12 March 1980, MCpl. Roddrick Warren Hipson, a member of the Canadian forces serving on HMCS HURON rescued twenty-one crewmen stranded aboard the sinking motor vessel Maurice Desgagnés some 120 kilometres from Halifax, Nova Scotia. During a howling winter storm, an immense wave hit the Desgagnés causing its cargo to shift and the vessel to list precariously in sea swells in excess of six metres. The helicopter of the HURON responded to the distress call and set out amidst winds of sixty knots, driving snow and freezing weather. While the helicopter hovered perilously close to the foundering vessel, MCpl. Hipson was lowered to the deck. He placed the rescue collar on one frantic man after another making each one ready for the hoist, instructing and guiding all twenty-one of the crew members. The operation required three helicopter sorties and lasted 90 minutes. Following this rare display of courage, MCpl. Hipson was the last to be removed, the ship was then listing almost horizontally and sank thirty minutes later.  The investiture ceremony took place on 18 Sep 1981.

 

           

The rescue of the crew of the M.V. Maurice Desgagnes 12 Mar 1980

Photographer: Rick Masters, P2RT, HMCS MARGAREE

Courtesy of Frank Altas

 


 

Later in her career, she was transferred to Esquimalt, BC. She served on MARPAC missions protecting Canada's sovereignty in the Pacific Ocean and enforced Canadian laws in its territorial sea and Exclusive Economic Zone. HURON was also deployed on missions throughout the Pacific and to the Indian Ocean; specifically the Persian Gulf and Arabian Sea on anti-terrorism operations.

 

HURON has a port visit, along with KOOTENAY 258 and ANNAPOLIS 265 at Vladivostok, Russia from 03 to 07 Jun 1990.

 

In the winter of 1991 HURON was deployed to the Persian Gulf as part of Operation FRICTION, the CF's contribution to Operation DESERT STORM (the Gulf War) to replace her sister ship HMCS ATHABASKAN as flagship of the Canadian Naval Task Group. HURON arrived after hostilities ceased and patrolled for several months before returning to Esquimalt. HURON was deployed to the Adriatic Sea in 1993 in support of the United Nations naval embargo of the former Yugoslavia.

 

On 15 Jul 1993, HURON began her TRUMP refit at Marine Industries Ltd., Sorel, Que.

 

In 1999 HURON intercepted a civilian ship smuggling illegal migrants off the coast of British Columbia.

 

Paid off on 31 Mar 2005, she was sunk as an exercise target ship 14 May 2007 during Operation TRIDENT FURY, a live-fire exercise conducted by MARPAC 100 km (54.0 mi) west of Vancouver Island.

 

The 5"54 cal gun on the 280s were named after the Oto Melara technicians who built and did the FSR work in Canada.  The names for the guns were as follows:  IROQUOIS - Pasquale, HURON - Tulio, ATHABASKAN - Leno and ALGONQUIN - Luigi.

 


 

Photos and Documents          Ship's company photos          The Ship's Bell

 


 

Welcome Aboard - Shore Office joining instructions while the ship is under construction

 

Commissioning Book          Welcome Aboard booklet - 1972

 

NATO 1982 Commemorative Book          GATINEAU / HURON Coast Transfer - 1987

 

"Smoke Signal" - Shipboard Newspaper - 2 editions

 


 

RCN Memories:     A wee bit ahead     I found a Soviet sub!     The Portuguese Revolution - 1974     Where's my RHIB?

 


 

 

Commanding Officers

 

Cdr Richard Irwin Hitesman - 14 Dec 1972 - 25 Jul 1975

Cdr Leonard Joseph Cavan - 25 Jul 1975 - 15 Jul 1977

Cdr Mark Hubert D. Taylor - 15 Jul 1977 - 22 Jul 1978

Cdr James Dixon Spalding - 22 Jul 1978 - 24 Jul 1981

Cdr Robert James Deluca - 24 Jul 1981 - 14 Jan 1983

Cdr Gary Leslie Garnett - 14 Jan 1983 - 02 Jul 1984

Cdr James Archiblad King - 02 Jul 1984 - 06 Jan 1987

Cdr G. Jeffrey - 06 Jan 1987 - 21 Apr 1987

Cdr J.A. Keenliside - 21 Apr 1987 - 22 Jul 1988

Cdr D.E. Collinson - 22 Jul 1988 - 03 Aug 1990

Cdr R.H. Melnick - 08 Aug 1990 - 25 Jun 1991

Cdr G.A. Paulson - 25 Jun 1991 - 27 Sep 1991

Cdr F. Scherber - 27 Sep 1991 - 24 Apr 1992

Cdr G.A. Paulson - 24 Apr 1992 - 26 Jun 1992

LCdr R.V. Marsh - 26 Jun 1992 - 11 Jun 1993

Cdr J.B. McCarthy - 11 Jun 1993 - 31 Mar 1994

Cdr Randy A. Maze - 28 Apr 1995 - 26 Jul 1996

Cdr John Scott Dewar - 26 Jul 1996 - 08 Jan 1998

Capt D.G. McNeil - 08 Jan 1998 - 12 Aug 1999

Capt R.D. Murphy - 12 Aug 1999 - 01 Feb 2001

Cdr P. Fotheringham - 01 Feb 2001 - 19 Jun 2001

LCdr W.S. Bates - 19 Jun 2001 - 2002

LCdr T.P. Wagner 2003-2003

LCdr F. Camaraire - 2003-2004

LCdr G.H. Hansen 2004 - 31 Mar 2005 

 

     In memory of those who made the ultimate sacrifice    

     Lest We Forget     

 

CALDER, Leslie J.

P1SG (Yeoman), C.A.F.

died - 19 Jun 1987

RAMSAY, Bruce A.

P2WU, RCN / C.A.F.

died - 02 Feb 1984

 


 

     In memory of those who have crossed the bar    

They shall not be forgotten

A

 

 

B

 

 

C

 

 

D

 

 

E

 

Earl, Kevin W.

 

 

 

 

 

F

 

 

G

 

 

H

 

 

J

 

 

K

 

 

L

 

 

M

 

 

N

 

 

O

 

 

P

 

 

R

 

 

S

 

 

T

 

 

V

 

 

W

 

 

Z

 

Zolmer, Bradley R.

 

 

 

 

 


 

Former Crew Members

 

Addison, Tim

 

Barter, Bill

 

Beaumier, Francois, PO2 NCI OP

 

Bégin, J.P.G., AB.WS

 

Beno, Wayne - 1975

 

Bodie, Dave, P2SG, D/Yeo

 

Cleough, Doug, C2SN, Sonar Chief - 1976-1978  //  C2SN, CSE Chief - 1980-1981 

 

Debusschere, Paul 

 

Duhan, Michael, CSC Tech

 

Eddy, Blake, C2ERA

 

Fletcher, Bob, P1RM, POTEL

 

Fortin, Robin, WU - Mar 1974 - Jul 1976

 

Fournier, Mike, MS.ER - 1977-1980

Gohlish, Heinz E., Lt (N)

 

Griffin, Gary - 1975-1978

 

Jacques, Yves - 1983-1985 

 

Johnston, R.J., P1NWT - May 1995 - Jun 1998

 

Larcheveque, Richard, OBSV/AESOP - 1982 (aircrew)

 

Latour, Mitch, AB/LS - 1975-1977

 

Matthews, Arthur J., LS.BN - 1974-1979

 

Newbury, George, P2ER

 

Nicoll, Andrew, Cook

 

Obrien, Joe, PO2

 

Oliver, Jim, WO, Air crew

 

Olsen, Darren Mark

 

Palardy, Luc - 1979-1980 

 

Pearson, Loren

Peever, P2CK

 

Rockwell, Rod L. (Rocky), P1ET

 

Saunders, Earl, CPO2 - 1978

 

Saunders, Evan, MS.BN - 1978

 

Sleigh, Mike, C2SN, CSE Chief  - 1981-1983 / C1SN Cox'n 1985 - 1987

 

Smith, Keith, LS.BN - 1978

 

Squires, Dave, OS.RM / AB.RM - Commissioning crew

 

Tiffin, Rick - 1990-1991

 

Watson, Bryan, P2 NESOP - 1989-1992

 

Wildin, Matthew R., P2PW / P1PW

 

Wills, Al, NESOP - Apr 1987 - Jul 1987

 


 

Photos and Documents

 

HG89

HG90

HG91

(HG89) CAPE SCOTT, the shore office for HMCS HURON while she was under construction - 1972

(HG90) HURON construction Shearlegs jetty at Marine Industries Ltd (MIL) in Sorel, Quebec

(HG91) HURON fitting out at MIL Davies

 

HG92

HG93

HG94

HG95

The first look at (HG92) the Bridge  (HG93) the junior ranks cafeteria  (HG94) the Wardroom and (HG95) the Admin Office

 

HG96

HG97

HG98

HG99

(HG100)

(HG96-HG97) Builder's Sea Trials 18-25 Nov 1972

(HG98-HG100) Sea Trials and at anchor Sept Isles, QC

 

HG101

HG102

HG103

(HG101) commissioning Dinner at Auberge de la Rive, Sorel, Dec 1972.  Seated, L-R: Capt J. Allan, Program Manager DDH 280, Cdr T. A. Arnott (CO CFTSD, Sorel), Cdr R.I. (Dick) Hitesman (CO). The name of the young lady is not known.

(HG102-HG103) Commissioning of HMCS HURON 14 Dec 1972, VAdm D.A. Collins (NTS NDHQ) presiding. Also with RAdm R.W. Timbrell (CMC) on a day trip from Halifax in the command Dakota, making space available in the aircraft for HURON family members who could make the trip to join the ceremony. 

 

** The Commissioning date was set for 16 Dec 1972. However, by mid December the weather deteriorated quickly and the Seaway was about to be closed. The CO and Navo made an aerial inspection of the river condition from a Coast Guard helicopter. The river ice was setting in. It was decided to advance the commissioning date to the 14th Dec and sail immediately after.

 

HG104

HG105

HG106

HG107

HG108

(HG104) Passing by Trois-Rivieres

(HG105-HG106) Approaching pont de Québec at Quebec City

(HG107) ALGONQUIN under construction at Davie Shipbuilding Co., Lauzon, Quebec

(HG108) Approaching a railway bridge over the St. Lawrence

Note: The early departure was justified. The river was icing up but, even worse, overnight snow settled on the river ice and created a total white-out. With navigation marks lifted, it was impossible early in the day to distinguish water from land. The competence and professionalism of the St. Lawrence River pilots (3 of them) was never more appreciated. It was also helpful to follow in the wake of Coast Guard ships.

 

HG109

HG110

HG111

HG112

(HG109) A crowded bridge on HMCS HURON 281

(HG110-HG112) HMCS HURON arrives at Halifax 20 Dec 1972

 

 

HG113

HG114

HG115

(HG113-HG115) HMCS HURON ship's trials Jan-May 1973

 

HG116

HG117

HG118

HG119

(HG116-HG119) Unknown event onboard HMCS HURON 18 May 1973

 

HG120

HG121

(HG120) HMCS HURON 281 alongside Bermuda during Work-ups 02-04 Jun 1973

(HG121) HMCS HURON 281 open to visitors while in Bermuda - crowds lined up in the street.

 

HG122

HG123

HG124

HG125

(HG122-HG125) HMCS HURON 281 Helo trials 13-17 Jun 1973

(HG123) A full deck - 16 Jul 1973.  A unique photo of 2 birds in the hangar and once secured on deck

 

HG126

HG127

HG128

HG129

HG130

(HG126) HMCS HURON 281 alongside Boston Navy Yard - 16 Nov 1973

(HG127) Helo fueling at Myrtle Beach, SC - 16 Mar 1974

(HG128) Ops room of HMCS HURON 281 - 06 Apr 1974

(HG129) HMCS HURON 281 Mediterranean deployment with IROQUOIS and PRESERVER 16 Apr - 20 May 1974

(HG130) Lisbon, Portugal during the coup (The Carnation Revolution) - 25 Apr 1974

 

HG131

HG132

HG133

HG134

(HG131) HMCS HURON 281 open for visitors, Barcelona, Spain - 02-05 May 1974

(HG132) HMCS HURON 281 and HMCS IROQUOIS 280 alongside Naples, Italy 08-11 Apr 1974

(HG133-HG134) HMCS HURON 281 approaching and RASing with HMCS PRESERVER - 16 May 1974 

 

From the collection of Heinz Gohlish, Lt, RCN / C.A.F.

 


 

Newspaper article on HMCS HURON'S anticipated arrival in Halifax for the first time

The Halifax Chronicle-Herald, Wed, 20 Dec 1972, page 16

Researched by / Courtesy of George Newbury

Newspaper article on HMCS HURON arrival in Halifax

The Halifax Mail-Star, Thu, 21 Dec 1972, page 24

Researched by / Courtesy of George Newbury

PO2 George Newbury on HMCS HURON 281

CF Photo # IH 76-148

Courtesy of George Newbury

HMCS HURON 281

CF Photo # HS 75-223

A Sea Cadet from 87 RCSCC New Glasgow onboard HMCS HURON 281

 

DND photo # HS 74-2357

 

Courtesy of Hugh Muir

A Sea Cadet from 87 RCSCC New Glasgow onboard HMCS HURON 281

 

DND photo # HS 74-1961

 

Courtesy of Hugh Muir

 

HMCS HURON Welcome Aboard pamphlet circa 1975

Courtesy of Jake Thomas

Crossing the Line (Arctic Circle) Ceremony on HMCS HURON, 1978

 

Neptune's court is: L to R: MSBN Evan Saunders, CPO2 Earl Saunders, Engineering Officer, LSBN Keith Smith, unknown at back, LSBN Arthur Matthews

 

Courtesy of Arthur J. Matthews

 

HMCS HURON Christmas card

Courtesy of Arthur J. Matthews

HMCS HURON at Spithead for the Queen's Silver Jubilee Fleet Review

 

         

 

(1) HMCS HURON 281 dressed for the Queen's Silver Jubilee  (2) List of Spithead Fleet review  (3) First Day Cover signed by HURON'S CO.

Courtesy of Arthur J. Matthews

Rescue of the crew of the M.V. Maurice Desgagnes 12 Mar 1980

 

           

 

On 12 Mar 1980, HMCS Margaree (with no helo embarked as she was preparing to go into refit) was acting as work-ups consort for HMCS HURON when Margaree received a distress call from the M.V. Maurice Desgagnes.  Margaree relayed the distress to HURON and the two ships proceed to their aid.  The helo from HMCS HURON rescued the crew of the stricken vessel.  The photos here were taken by Rick Masters, Radar Tech on board HMCS Margaree

 

Photographer: Rick Masters, P2RT, HMCS Margaree

Courtesy of Frank Altas

HMCS HURON 281

Courtesy of John Le Forte

HMCS HURON 281

 

CSE Department - 1987 Coast Transfer - Jul 1987, San Diego, Calif

 

Courtesy of Bill Dziadyk

HMCS HURON 281 departing Esquimalt 1987

Courtesy of Eric Kahler, Director, Naval Museum of Alberta 

Deck Department of HMCS HURON

Courtesy of John Le Forte

Fire Exercise on HMCS HURON 281

Courtesy of Mitch Cormier

Section base #3 on HMCS HURON

Mitch Cormier attack team leader (front left)

Courtesy of Mitch Cormier

AB Glen Tewnion saves a life in China

C&PO's flag hoisting team HURON 1989. Looking at camera Bob Fletcher POTEL - going clockwise from there PO2 Bodie, WO Oliver, CPO2 Eddy, PO2 Peever, headset guy, PO2 Joe Obrien

Courtesy of Tim Kyle

C&PO's flag hoist team HURON 1989 Left to right:  CPO2 Blake Eddy, CERA, PO2 Dave Bodie D/Yeo, WO Jim Oliver air crew, Back to camera PO2 Peever Cook

Courtesy of Tim Kyle

HMCS HURON departing Halifax for the Persian Gulf - 1991

Courtesy of Tim Kyle

HMCS HURON 281 entering Esquimalt Harbour, 2 August 1991

Courtesy of the CFB Esquimalt Naval and Military Museum

HMCS HURON 281 - undated

 

DND photo

HMCS HURON 281 - undated

 

DND photo

Newspaper article on HMCS HURON 281 rescuing crew members from the British merchant vessel HERO

Source: Trident Magazine 02 Dec 1977

Courtesy of Andrew Nicoll

HMCS HURON 281 at full speed

Courtesy of Tim Robinson


Newspaper article on HMCS HURON just prior to her sinking as a live fire-ex target

By John McKay / Times Colonist

HURON just prior to the "Sink Ex" aka live-fire exercise during Operation Trident Fury 14 May 2007

Courtesy of Bill Inglee

Former HMCS HURON sinking after live fire exercise 14 May 2007

HMCS HURON - 1978

Courtesy of Andrew Nicoll

Andrew Nicoll on HMCS HURON

Courtesy of Andrew Nicoll

Screw from HMCS HURON 281 on display outside the Military Museums in Calgary, AB

Source: valourcanada.ca

 


 

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